Los Angeles County has proposed settling a lawsuit brought on behalf of two young girls who were allegedly sexually abused by their foster parent. The county is offering each plaintiff $500,000 to resolve the case. The lawsuit was filed in April 2020 by the girls’ mother, who accused the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) of negligence, sexual battery, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to the lawsuit, the two girls, identified as A.R. and C.R., were transferred to DCFS’ care in October 2012 and placed with a foster family agency in West Covina. They were eventually placed in the care of foster mother Lorena Medina and her husband, Jose Medina, who is accused of having sexually abused other children placed in their home prior to 2012. The suit alleges that DCFS ignored reports of previous abuse and failed to investigate.
From 2012 to 2014, Jose Medina allegedly sexually abused both A.R. and C.R. The abuse was first reported in August 2013, when the girls were examined by a physician after A.R. complained of pain while urinating and itching in her buttocks. The physician notified DCFS Director Philip Browning and Chief Deputy Director Brandon Nichols that the examinations indicated possible child sexual abuse, but apparently no action was taken.
The abuse was only reported in May 2019 when A.R. told her mother that Medina had sexually molested her and C.R. The sexual abuse was then reported to DCFS and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. A criminal complaint was filed against Jose Medina by the District Attorney’s Office.
The lawsuit also alleges that Lorena Medina knew or should have known about the abuse but failed to report it. Attorneys for the county have filed court papers seeking approval of the settlement with the girls, who were minors when the lawsuit was filed.
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